Children living in poverty according to new report

A charity’s report into living standards in the UK has found that poverty rates amongst children are on the rise.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s UK Poverty 2017 examines poverty trends over the last two decades, with a focus on factors that contribute to lower incomes.

Single parent families and families with three or more children were found to be the groups with the highest levels of poverty, with reductions in benefits and tax credits being highlighted as a contributing influence.

Relationships

Children from families with a lower income were found to be more likely to argue with their parents and will avoid discussing important issues, and couples on low incomes are more likely to separate than couples who are in a better financial situation.

Key findings

30% of children now live in poverty

30% of people living in a family with a disabled member live in poverty.

47% of working-age adults on low incomes spend more than a third of their income (including Housing Benefit) on housing costs.

Nearly a quarter of adults in the poorest fifth of the population experience depression or anxiety.

Scotland

The Bill contained a series of targets to reduce child poverty in Scotland, and four statutory goals the Scottish Government hopes to achieve by 2030.

Financial impact

The UK Poverty 2017 report concludes that solving the problem of poverty in the UK will be a significant challenge, with high housing costs, rising inflation, and stagnant wages for low earning families.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation fears this could lead to families struggling to cope with mounting financial pressures with a limited ability to improve their prospects.